Hi folks!

It’s the eve of Merdeka right now and I’m just about to start getting ready to head out. 

But before that, here’s a quick update before I get totally smashed on the rooftop tonight.

Peekaboo!

Tomorrow marks the 57th independence day for Malaysia, since the fateful day the Union Jack was replaced by hoisting our very own Jalur Gemilang, on the 31st of August 1957.

So what’s up this Merdeka 2014? I’ll be celebrating my countdown with moo and his buddies at a rooftop bar in KL tonight. 

Anyway, here’s a little throwback on what went down during last year’s Merdeka!

I realized I didn’t get round to blogging about that till now so, what other better time to share this but now?

With some buddies from the JUICE team

We were all at an event called the ‘Silent Disco’ held at Acme Bar and Coffee in Troika KL.

Fellow media mate, Richard and I

I must say that fireworks has always been close to my heart.

That being said, take me to anywhere to watch fireworks and I’ll be a very happy girl for at least a week!

SELAMAT

HARI

MERDEKA!

After the countdown, my buddies and I then adjourned to the Butter Factory

for Asahi Superdry’s All Stars Tour Merdeka party

My non-Malaysian buddies joined the fun and festivity too!

Woot woot!

Bringing the Aussie spirit right into the heart of Kuala Lumpur!

Just like every year, I was really feelin’ it!

This year, I’ve got something more exciting in store. You know what else is even more fun? In collaboration with Celcom’s ESCAPE, I’m actually in the midst of making a short tribute video to commemorate Merdeka 2014. 

It was actually supposed to be ready today but yeah, time wasn’t on my side. Will get it up by say, Malaysia Day? 😀

Here are some behind the scenes on what I was up to last week shooting for my video!

Filmed a little at Istana Budaya

Then we proceeded to Merdeka Square

It was really a beautiful sight. Everything was being set up already, and practices were in motion!

Moo and I. Haha! Just had to share this candid photo of us.

Clearly we were trying to take a selfie with Dataran Merdeka in the background.

Yippeee! We did it! Thanks so much for helping out in my video! xoxo

We even filmed a panning footage of KLCC and KL Tower from the elevated highway.

This is a still shot from the video!

Alright, I have to go now. It’s getting real late! 

We’re heading out shortly. More pictures to follow on LIVE my Instagram page @imthejessicat and on my Facebook page facebook.com/thejessicatdotcom 

Happy 57th Independence Day, my beautiful homeland Malaysia.

Tanah tumpahnya darahku.

Happy Sunday lovelies!

My past seven days were likened to a happy breeze kicking up colourful leaves on an Autumn evening

I was back in form. Cheerful &  brimming with smiles, compared to last week's dreadful crawl of a week

Out and about on a sunny afternoon!

Oh and to my fellow Malaysian people, HAPPY MALAYSIA DAY!

Yup, for you non-Malaysian readers, today is Malaysia's birthday and we are 49 years old. 

———-TRIVIA ———

Malaysia Day is NOT to be confused with our National/Independence Day,

which was celebrated some two weeks ago on the 31st August.

Today, 49 years ago, the formation of four independent nations : 

Malaya, Sabah, Sarawak & Singapore gave rise to a new nation….

and that new nation was Malaysia.

16th September 1963 was the very day we became a country of our own! 

HAPPY 49TH BIRTHDAY TO MY BELOVED COUNTRY MALAYSIA 

——————————–

Anyway, what made my week this time round?

We'll see :

Headed to The Pool KL in Ampang for a food review of their Japanese restaurant, Kyoto Lab

Being a Japanese food enthusiast, the excellent quality, taste & choice of meals exceeded my expectations!

Full blogpost coming soon!

Slowly regained my appetite again and indulged in some comfort food

Traditional American Pancake Stack by Paddington's House of Pancakes @ The Curve

For some reason, those pancakes that I had above tasted like cardboard & had a rubbery texture. 

What happened to the soft, fluffy, melt-in-your mouth pancakes I always used to have?  This makes the avid pancake-fan in me, sad 

Had some retail therapy to make me happy.

Hey, who doesn't love pretty things in pretty boxes? 

Char Tang Hoon in SS2 Pasar Malam (night market)

Only RM3.50 and was superb! 

Dinnertimes with the magician boys Andrew & JB 

We hung out at Delicious @ Mid Valley Megamall and I'd fully recommend the…..

Pumpkin Soup with chopped almonds! 

It's a new item in the menu. It was flavourful, not too creamy & just the right texture 

Party time at NSFW presents : 12th Planet all the way from Los Angeles, USA!

I jumped right onto the podium (and made bestie Pam join me up there!) and I shooked 12th Planet's hand! 

Thanks for the photo Pam xx

The heavy dubstep-DnB artist shot our faces to full colour once he took control of the party

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HOLr0jqnCI&feature=player_detailpage

Song of the week! I love Zedd, 'nuff said 

This was the song that 12th Planet boomed and catapulted me to rave on the podium!

Just a lil SELCA again

Headed out for dinner with my suede grey fedora & a buttoned American flag blouse!

Made some dinner. Inspired by popular Arabic dish, Shakshouka

Baked eggs, tomatoes, onions, black pepper and cumin!

Got a little SELCA crazy whilst stuck in a jam. How narcissistic, I know 

Found something extremely relevant whilst I was caught on the LDP traffic jam

Why that highway is congested even at 3PM is beyond me. But that's something to think about, no? 

Spent my entire Saturday with theboyfie in Borders-Starbucks, The Curve.

He was reading the new book he bought, The Great Mortality by John Kelly,

while I was working away on some of my blogging & photo editing. 

Attended another one of the Arthur's Day celebrations in Sid's Pub @ TTDI today

Gee, I love the month-long celebrations! So much merriment 

To Arthur! 

Dinner at TGI Friday's @ Sunway Pyramid! 

For the non-health conscious, I'd recommend the Deep Fried Mac & Cheese balls 

Should you prefer a healthier meal, I'd recommend the Stuffed Mushrooms with ground beef!

It's served with bruschetta toppings and pretty damn delicious too 

Dennis & I  Just came back from Youth Jam, held in Sunway Pyramid!

I was the judge for the blogging competition by Youth Jam-SONY's National Blogger Festival

So happy to be able to lend my support to the movement and youth empowerment 

And that wraps up my seven days this time round.

It was a pretty average week, with some good news (still a secret at the moment!) to share very soon!

Just a little secret (well, not so secret anymore!) I'm pursuing magic & aim to learn a new language.

A while back, I promised a certain French magician that when I go to Paris one day, I'm going to impress him with my magic performance and a particular mentalism/illusion trick. And I will. 

That being said, have an awesome seven days ahead dearies.

And to my Malaysian readers, enjoy tomorrow's public holiday thanks to Malaysia Day! 

Much love,

Jessicat 

———————————————————————————————————————————————-

The Sunday Times is a new once-a-week series; published every Sunday night to recap the highlights of my week, capture what piques my interest and to share recommendations for to-go places and to-eats throughout the week

Some of the photos in this edition are posted instantly on my Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr & Facebook as it happens.

So follow me to get instant updates and pretty photos of the sights & sounds all around!

I know I skipped last weekend's edition of The Sunday Times!

Actually, don't ask me why. I don't know either.

I shall mull two weeks motherload of photos/updates for you, aight?

Better late than never teehee!

Spent some lonely cuddletimes with my favourite boy 

Gave in to the Instagram craze!

Several people have been bugging me to get on Instagram for a while now… and I thought, hey why not?

Follow me on Instagram at – thejessicat

Stormed my kitchen up to make dinner again! 

Butter-Cereal Prawn & Black Pepper Scrambled Eggs with Tofu & Spinach on a Saturday night

Celebrated my country's Independence Day on the 31st August!

Full blogpost – here *click*

Got a tad nerdy & intellectual for several days

Been preparing for an article about contemporary Malaysian culture!

Off on an airplane to Penang Island courtesy of Heineken!

An epic mini-rave is underway 

Touched down in Penang to attend the Heineken Progressive Tour at 32 Mansion @ Penang

Full blogpost soon! 

I just had to justify myself LOL

Had English breakfast with mom in Dome Cafe @ Gurney Plaza, Penang!

I'd recommend the Eggs Benedict 

Day out in the city : Pavilion KL with buddies Jean-Baptiste & Nestor!

Took the cable car up to Genting Highlands with 'em magician boys after that!

J'ai passé un très bon moment  

Outfit of the day in Genting Highlands!

Watched Superstars of Magic 2 four times! Yup, FOUR TIMES.

Too good to only catch it once  Made wonderful friends there, the cast & crew were an amazing bunch!

Learnt some magic under the tutorledge of two fabulous cardicians

You know who you both are. Much love & gratitude! 

Made a snack at home  Do I smell something healthy?

Fresh lettuce, red corals, wild rocket leaves, butter hearts, radicchio,

red oakleaves with watermelon chunks, oregano & thousand island!

Hit the gym again! Did my usual routine and a 5KM track-run 

Had a bout of a rather dreadful emotional turmoil & lost my appetite for 4 days.

Stayed in bed. Refused to get out. Wallowed in depression. But yeah, tried to smile for the camera anyhow LOL

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rx6deVzKeKQ&feature=player_detailpage

Song of the week 

Picked up the pieces, put on a smile and buried my misery six feet under

Question is : How can you forget someone who gave you so much to remember?

Just got back from a satisfying dinner! I recommend the Chicken & Lamb Mixed Royal Kebab with Saffron Rice

A cosy & VERY reasonably priced Middle Eastern place : Saffron Cafe & Restaurant in Damansara Perdana! 

Well, that's what's I've buzzing with during past fortnight, apart from the emotional rollercoaster ride.

It's rather personal, don't ask  But what didn't kill me, made me stronger!

… overcome the tears & attempt the next stride with a smile 

This week, I am thankful for :

1) The immediate people around me 

2) The lessons in life which I learnt the hard way. 

Have a great seven days ahead dear readers 

Much love,

Jessicat 

——————————————————————————————————————————————————

The Sunday Times is a new once-a-week series; published every Sunday night to recap the highlights of my week, capture what piques my interest and to share recommendations for to-go places and to-eats throughout the week

Some of the photos in this edition are posted instantly on my Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr & Facebook as it happens.

So follow me to get instant updates and pretty photos of the sights & sounds all around!

It's Independence Day! 

Without Malaya and Sabah achieving independence 55 years ago, MALAYSIA (the joint-force of 3 independent countries – Malaya, Sabah & Sarawak) may not have even been born.

Let's wave our flag – the Jalur Gemilang – proudly with other Malaysians and yell "MERDEKA!!!" 

I may not have done anything to usher in Merdeka due to workload but the blazing love for my country still ignites on this historical, national day.

This year, I was chilling in my house on the highest floor shouting MERDEKA 7 times while watching blasting fireworks illuminating the sky simultaneously in 13 different spots. 

Lucky for me, my penthouse has a gorgeous aerial view of the suburbs, parts of the city & everything!

Check out Google's doodle today!

It's our national flower – the hibiscus – as a logo 

As the year passes, I have begun to learn more and more about my country every day.

One of my favorite things to do this year has most definitely been playing host to a slew of Aussie friends of mine who chose Malaysia as a holiday destination.  So proud! 

My lunch : Nasi Tomato & Ayam Masak Merah (Malay),

Tumeric Cabbage & Papadam (Indian), Steamed Garlic Pumpkin (Chinese) 

This #merdeka55 , I am thankful for the abundant & culturally diverse food that come in abundance here in Malaysia. 

I love my country; tanah tumpah darahku!